ABOUT ME

James Kuszewski is a British multidisciplinary Artist and Educator based in Brighton and Hove, UK. His intrinsic desire to explore, and innate passion for artistic expression, has gifted him a portfolio unconfined by medium nor discipline. Instead, James celebrates diversity of expression through his work in graphite, animation, songwriting, installation and performance.

James has toured and performed internationally with his band; collaborated with artists, theatre practitioners, choreographers, musicians, and filmmakers; coordinated events; and delivered vocal coaching, creative workshops, project-based learning, and support-work in education.

Narrative and storytelling are the threads that have come to run through James' work. The stories of those he has encountered, and his personal experiences and identity, are his inspiration for creating a socially engaged practice that reflects the lives and struggles of real people.

CLIENTS INCLUDE:

Music - ITV, Lost and Found Orchestra, Park Bench Pictures (Common People), Cascais Surf Camp, Access to Music, Bimm University, Goldman’s Stage School,Bede’s Senior & Prep school.

Art - Stuart Waters, School 21, Carleen Anderson, Duke of York Cinema, Cinecity, House of Hats, Mi’das, School 21, Bolney Primary school, Bevendean Primary, St John’s College.

INDEPENDENT PRESS & ENDORSEMENTS

"Artist of the week ... Storytelling is often at the heart of his artwork, with his current series exploring how experiences may shape us."
- ELIZABETH RICHARDSON, BRIGHTON JOURNAL 2019

“House of Hats are blessed with a member called James, who has animated their video for ‘This Love’. It’s an acoustic, wistful number perfectly complimented by the sparse pallet and style of the images.”
- Supajam Magazine 2012

"His attention to detail and craft, understanding and interpretation of the brief meant we ended up with a stunning illustration. A pleasure to work with."
- KIRSTEN IRVING, COMMISSIONING EDITOR, SIDEKICK BOOKS 2016

"... a music video for the single which is equally as breathtaking as the single itself."
- Kryptonite Music Magazine 2015

“Wonderland, a spirited, jaunty tune …..The harmonies are compelling, warm and often melancholic, and occasionally take little turns into Seventies soft-rock territory that sound revived and not dated.”

- BRUCE WARREN The Key / WXPN 2014

“Noddy credits Kuszewski with fusing the harmonies which have gained House Of Hats comparisons with Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

“He comes from a gospel and soul background,” explains Noddy. “He had the ability to bring our harmonies together. That came from him.”

- DOMINIC SMITH ,THE ARGUS 2014.

“He is a fantastic guy, very creative and a superb teacher. The pupils really engage with him and respond well. He is very easy going and gets the best out of them. James is able to teach many different styles to all ages and is particularly strong at harmony work. Any school would be very lucky to have him on staff.”

- SARAH DORMADY,

PRINCIPLE, GOLDMANS STAGE SCHOOL

“He is very popular with the pupils, who enjoy his enthusiastic approach and well-grounded technical expertise. He chooses really appropriate repertoire for all the age-groups and is hugely encouraging and pro-active with each student, building up their performing confidence… thinking carefully about the way to develop young voices and also making the lessons fun and musically beneficial. As an expert in contemporary vocal techniques and repertoire, I find his advice and opinion most helpful and extremely reliable. I recommend James most highly as a musician, as a teacher, as a colleague and as a person.”

-JANE PENDRY, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC , BEDE'S PREP SCHOOL

ADDITIONAL PRESS

- Zoe Ball Radio 2 Twitter/Cambridge Folk Festival

"House of hats your set was stunning. Such harmonies. Stayed with me.”

- BOB HARRIS, BBC RADIO 2

“Love your album”.

- Phil Jackson, BBC introducing

"House of Hats live session here at the BBC was certainly one of the highlights of our 2013 series".

- Q MAGAZINE

“Hushed Brighton folkateers' debut.”

“House of Hats revel in complex simplicity, with harmonies cascading into, over, through (and on Home is Where the Heart Is, beneath) one another. But behind vocal pyrotechnics that suggest a younger Crosby, Stills and Nash, there's a solid songwriting heart and the production by Pete Smith (who ensured Sting's Dream of the Blue Turtles wasn't wholly mired in jazz) transcends any folk cliches. They're at their most exhilerating on No Man, but their real calling card is tenderness: it abounds here. “

3/5 Stars

Suggested downloads: Close to Me, No Man, Home is Where the Heart Is - John Aizlewood, Q Magazine, April 2014

- HUFFINGTON POST USA

"House of Hats resonates musically with melodies both fresh and familiar… the band that brings lovely lyrics to warm, sincere acoustic-based songs flavored by heavenly harmonies." - Michael Bialas, Huffington Post USA, July 2014

- SUNDAY EXPRESS

House of Hats album 'This Love' 3/5 Stars

''A Brighton quartet whose often dazzling close harmonies sugar-coat some extremely incisive songs. The title track This Love, Right Behind You and Gold are all excellent and in Noddy they have a female singer whose rich tones recall the great folk singer Beverly Martyn.'' - Martin Townsend - Sunday Express

- UNCUT MAGAZINE

"SOULFUL DEBUT FROM ANGLO FOLK-ROCK HARMONISERS - 7/10 Stars.”

“The title cut and opener is a love call delivered in swooning, Fleet Foxes-esque harmonies; a sparkling chunk of psych folk.Cult status and a soundtrack call. Its an engaging debut that showcases crafted songs and fine male/female vocals in harmony and counterpoint. Its gentle mid-Atlantic acoustica, with a bit of Western gallop like "Rivers Will Run" which is well-served by producer Pete Smith, who keeps things simple and bright. A welcome arrival.” - Neil Spencer, Uncut, April 2014

-ACOUSTIC MAGAZINE

“Treading a well worn path between the harmonies of Fleetwood Mac and Crosby Stills and Nash, this Brighton quartet come up with the kind of strummy acoustic tunes that are the delight of mid-afternoon DJs the world over; inoffensive, easy on the ear and just the stuff to hum along with whilst you clean out the hamster cage. But by the time they dig in with 'River Will Run', a driving piece of Americana with the kind of chord progression that will be the envy of struggling songwriters everywhere, it's obvious there's something more to this crew than initially meets the ear. The influences are obvious; with its thudding drum beat the moody 'Joanne' could easily be a Bon Iver outtake. Maybe this could just be the kind of music we all need?” - Julian Piper, Acoustic Magazine, March 2014

- ALTSOUNDS

“Harmonically rich, passionate folk”.

- FOLK RADIO

“Both musically and lyrically This Love stacks up as a work of surprising complexity, beautiful playing and sublime singing.”

- POPMATTERS

"With cross-cutting vocal harmonies and menacing purity, This Love is a cohesive statement by a band that is a welcomed voice in a genre of acoustic clutter."

"House Of Hats and Carrie Tree offer up “the essence of a summer festival indoors” at the Komedia. With the venue made-over to summon that summer feeling, both acts launch new albums before heading off on tour together."

- BRIGHTON SOURCE MAGAZINE 2014

“The Harvest Sessions is a monthly affair put on by the band where they invite other people they’ve worked with onto the bill to share them with their audience…It’s great to see a band who are working so hard and seem to be on track for big things also remembering the people they have worked with along the way.”

- Brighton Music Blog 2012

“The monthly night at The Brunswick… became so popular that when the group came to release their debut album, they were able to take over Komedia. Now, thanks to a busy schedule, the Harvest Sessions is a quarterly event with a permanent slot at Komedia, with alternate shows at The Brunswick.”

– Dominic Smith THE ARGUS 2014